Will NEET 2025 Be Conducted in Two Phases? - Single Exam Day Shift

Will NEET 2025 be conducted in two phases?

The NEET UG 2025 was likely to be conducted in two phases. As per various media reports, due to the NEET 2024 paper leak controversy and scam, there was a high possibility that the NEET 2025 exam will be conducted online in two phases. The National Testing Agency (NTA) and the government was looking for alternate methods to conduct the NEET 2025 Exam fairly. It was speculated that just like JEE mains and advanced, the NEET 2025 might conducted in two phases- Mains & Prelims. However, NEET 2025 will be conducted offline in a single day.

Need behind NEET 2025 conduct in two phases

Some of the reasons why the possibility of the NEET UG exam in two phases is highly likely are discussed below -

• Previous instances of cheating and paper leaks - NEET UG is traditionally conducted in a single day and several incidents of paper leaks and cheating have happened in the past. With two phases, selected candidates will appear for the main phase, hence it will be comparatively easier to manage less number of students.

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• Larger candidate pool - Every year, the number of students appearing for NEET increases significantly. In 2024, approximately 24 lakh students appeared for the exam. Given this large candidate pool, conducting the exam in two phases could potentially ease the burden on both candidates and the examination system. Spreading the NEET exam over two phases could help in better management.

• Reducing stress - The single-day, high-pressure nature of NEET can be stressful for students. Those who appear for NEET often face immense pressure as they prepare for months on end for the exam. With two phases, even if students pass the prelims with a low score, they will have an opportunity to improve their overall score in the mains phase.

How will NEET 2025 be different if It is held in two phases?

While it is not confirmed yet whether NEET 2025 will be conducted online in two phases, if it happens, then there might be several changes in NEET 2025 exam.

Structure of the exam

If the NEET 2025 is held in two phases, both phases are likely to follow the same structure. The exam would test students on subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and it would likely be in a multiple-choice format with an offline (pen-and-paper) or online (computer-based) mode. However, there might be some changes in terms of the distribution of questions or weightage in the prelims and mains phase, with the mains phase having more weightage.

Changes in results and ranking system

If the NEET 2025 exam is conducted in two phases, then the NEET 2025 results could be based on the best score from both phases or an aggregate of the scores. This would be in contrast to the existing system, where a student’s performance on a single day is the determining factor and then students have to wait for next year's NEET exam to improve their scores. This change could allow students to improve their chances even if they score in the first phase of the exam.

Challenges of Conducting NEET in Two Phases

While the advantages of a two-phase NEET UG exam are clear, there are some challenges in doing so -

• Logistical complications - Coordinating two phases of the exam will require a significant amount of planning. The NTA would need to ensure that all NEET 2025 exam centres, technology infrastructure, and exam materials are ready for both phases. The risk of technical glitches or mismanagement could be higher with two phases, as the exam will be spread across multiple days and times.

• Increased financial burden for students - For some students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, having two phases of the exam could result in additional costs. Travel, accommodation, and other logistical expenses could increase, making it a bit harder for them to access the exam in both phases.